Credibility, not Zoning, will Determine PDP Presidential Candidate – Sule Lamido Replies Wike
POLITICS DIGEST- Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has said no individual or group would lord it over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and force it to choose its Presidential candidate from a certain part of the country.
According to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the party’s standard bearer will be picked based on credibility and popularity.
Lamido spoke in his Bamaina, his Jigawa home town, when he received Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
Tambuwal, accompanied by former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and former Deputy Governor, Mukhtar Shagari, visited Lamido to solicit his support for his presidential bid.
Lamido said: “It is painful and disturbing for any reasonable and patriotic Nigerian who is concerned with the country’s unity and progress to advocate for tribal, religious or reginal politics to produce Nigerian leader.
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“Nobody will zone any position to any part of the country for selfish reasons or intimidation. It is undemocratic, unacceptable and we will not allow it to happen”.
On Tuesday, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike insisted that the presidential ticket of the PDP should be zoned to the South, so that a Southerner may succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lamido’s comment appears to be a direct reply to Wike.
Also speaking in Channels Television last night, Lamido said: “In the past, we embraced zoning to balance the political equation in the country. But now, we dont need to hurt ourselves with zoning arrangement, but we seek for leaders who have been tested and proven with national outlook.”
“Zoning is not new to us in Nigeria’s political family. But democracy should address the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Zoning at that time was for a caucus.
“The issue of zoning was accepted at a particular time to solve a particular problem but now Nigeria needs a leader with a national outlook, having the interest of the country at heart.
“I don’t believe in any regional consensus but in Nigeria’s consensus. I want people who believe in Nigeria to come together and deliver Nigeria’s consensus” the former governor said.
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